Meet the Press: Coach Wannstedt Discusses Louisville

Nov. 20, 2006

Dave Wannstedt

Louisville Week

November 20, 2006

On Louisville:

Louisville is probably as complete a football team as there might be anywhere. I think probably the plays that they make on defense probably give them an edge from the standpoint of being the best defense we've played so far. We all know where they're at from an offensive standpoint now that (Brian) Brohm is back and healthy. They've kind of balanced up their attack again from a run-pass standpoint. They're playing with a lot of confidence right now. This will put the challenge to our football team that we need to play well in all three phases. We need to play at a high level in all three phases. We had the guys in here Friday and everyone was around yesterday watching some tape on their own. There is plenty of motivation to get ready and go out and play the best game we've played all year with this being our last regular season game, it's senior day, trying to get win number seven and playing a top 10 team in the country. That's the approach that we're taking and that's the approach that our seniors are taking. We have great senior leadership and that will make the difference, not just come Saturday but in our preparation which is the most important thing right now.

On the scheme used against West Virginia:

We missed five tackles in the West Virginia game. As crazy as it sounds the tackling was not the problem. We came out early and tried to force them and pressure them into throwing the ball. They did that and made plays in the passing game. I take my hat off to Pat White. He threw the ball and made some great throws. In my mind that was the difference in the game - him throwing the ball. Who would have ever thought that? Obviously he has thrown the ball but not with that type of accuracy on a consistent level. I thought he did a great job. I think if we went into it again we would take the same approach - make them throw the ball and see if he can do it. He did it. Obviously the second half we got into throwing it. Throwing the ball gets into the pressures and sacks and all the things that go along with throwing the ball every time. You can't do that and win.

On an assessment of the team so far:

The two areas that are most disappointing are we need to improve running the football and stopping the run. Obviously that hasn't happened with the degree of speed that anybody would like, for a lot of different reasons. As crazy as it seems, the (opposing) quarterback running has been more of a thorn in our side than the tailback running. The competition has been better. These things are all part of why we haven't won. When you lose your two starting defense ends it's tough to evaluate - are we as good with McKenzie Mathews in there as we would have been with (Doug) Fulmer or (Chris) McKillop? No. So on paper, the end results - no we're not playing as good as we did at the midpoint in the season, but there are reasons for it. Our special teams did some outstanding things last week. If you think of the field position, our kick returns, our field goals, covering kicks. Our special teams as a unit are improved. We haven't had enough teams throw the ball on us. We'll find out this week how our pass defense is. Our passing game, when we can get time, I know we're farther along than where we started. Our run game...it's tough when we're not where we need to be.

On Louisville's offense:

They're not an option team. They're more like we are, like Rutgers. They're more traditional, using two backs or one back. The biggest thing coming against us is the quarterback scramble. That's where they're getting most of their run yards.

Louisville probably has the best offensive line that we've faced all year. They give their quarterback great protection. I think he's been sacked 12 times. He did scramble some against us last year to get the first down but it's not part of their offense.

They just put so much pressure on you because they do both (running and throwing the ball) so well. You've got a Heisman candidate in Brohm as your quarterback. You have an All-Big East wide receiver, a couple really good wide receivers. They force you to be balanced. They are talented. They play two or three running backs.

On Louisville's scheme:

They have 37 sacks on defense. They have a pass rusher that could be a number-one draft pick on the defensive line. They have some playmakers and pressure in a lot of areas.

They run extremely well. They're not an all-out blitzing team, but they mix it in enough to get a lot of pressure. They get a lot of pressure just from their four-down guys. They get a nice package of pressure when they play zone behind it and have nice pressure when they play man. They have a nice variety of defensive calls that they can use. You really have to be focused in and zeroed in on what different looks they're doing because they do a good job of disguising it.

On the focus of the team:

The sense of urgency is trying to find the way to finish up the season with a win. Whatever happens with the bowl game stuff will happen. That hasn't been brought up with our team and it won't be. The focus needs to be on us being ready -- on being prepared to go out here and play a great, outstanding football team.

On blitzing Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm:

I think it was probably the difference in the game (Rutgers vs. Louisville) that they were able to keep constant pressure on him and got him out of his rhythm a little bit. That has to be part of the game plan. If you don't get pressure on him, he's going to pick you apart, no question about that.

On sophomore linebacker Tommie Campbell:

It's been tough the last couple weeks. On those couple passes (against West Virginia) he wasn't fooled. He's the fastest guy we have on the team. It's a foot race and he was right there. Is it experience? Maturity? I don't know but he's a young player and probably consistency would be the number one thing. He'll do some good things - he'll play the run better. He tackled a lot better this week than he did against Connecticut. Every week at this point in his career is kind of a new adventure, a learning experience.

[Linebacker] has to be (his permanent position). Because of his athletic ability and speed, his best chance is at linebacker.

On opting to play certain freshmen and not redshirt them:

We're trying to get them the ball and trying to get them in situations, but it's tough. We talked about it before we took the redshirt off these guys. Nate Byham wasn't playing much but with the Darrell Strong incident, all of a sudden the last couple weeks he's had a lot of playing time.

On Darrell Strong:

Darrell's back. I met with Darrell Friday, he was at the team meeting Friday and he's back with the team for the final week. Depending on what we decide to do game plan-wise with tight ends will determine how much he gets the ball.

On the progress of the freshmen class:

For the most part, T.J. Porter has responded well. It's just a matter of getting them some action. He's been mostly a special teams player - punt returns, kickoff returns. McKenzie Mathews is getting a lot of playing time. He played a lot better against West Virginia than he did against Connecticut. Joe Thomas, same thing. Nate Byham is doing a nice job. Aaron Berry is on special teams and same thing with Jovani (Chappel). That experience that they've gotten -- traveling, being in the stadium -- all that stuff will pay dividends. It won't be a first-time experience when we open the season next year.

On senior defensive lineman Vernon Botts:

We started him last week against West Virginia -- a big game. We thought he would handle it better. McKenzie (Mathews) actually ended up playing more. We have Vernon as a starter (against Louisville) because he is a senior, but they'll both play.

Meet the Press: Coach Wannstedt Discusses Louisville

Players Mentioned

Aaron Berry

Nate Byham

Tommie Campbell

McKenzie Mathews

T.J. Porter

Darrell Strong

Joe Thomas

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